Treadmill

ABSTRACT

An improved treadmill is provided that includes a base frame, a platform and an endless belt. The treadmill in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the platform includes a cushioning pad with a thickness ranging from 1 to 10 mm and is stuck to a top surface thereof, and that a smooth wear-resisting layer is attached to a top surface of the cushioning pad in such a manner that the wear-resisting layer and the cushioning pad are fitted to form a whole and the wear-resisting layer is interposed between the endless belt and the cushioning pad for providing more comfort and reducing the exercise injuries to a minimal extent.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an improved treadmill, and more particularly, to a cushioning pad disposed on a top surface of a platform or embedded therein for providing a sufficient cushioning comfort and reducing noise and exercise injuries to a minimal extent during an exercise session.

2. Description of the Related Art

Nowadays, most of the modern people living under stress have little time to take exercise. So, indoor exercise apparatuses become very popular. The treadmill is one of the most popular fitness apparatuses.

One conventional treadmill includes a platform extending between opposing sides of a base frame for supporting an endless belt. However, the platform is made of hard material and doesn't provide the cushioning elasticity. So, walking on the platform that is as hard as a concrete floor is very uncomfortable. Moreover, a great noise will be made. In addition, walking on the platform will easily transfer the reactive force to the feet of the operator, thereby causing unnecessary exercise injuries.

To overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks, a treadmill with cushioning means has been developed. TW 360064 teaches a treadmill with a cloth positioned on the endless belt for increasing the softness of thereof and providing the comfort for the bare-footed walking on the treadmill. However, this kind of configuration will adversely affect the endless movement of the endless belt.

A further treadmill, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, includes a plurality of rubber pads 31 that are disposed on a top surface of a base frame 30 for supporting a platform 32 in a cushioned manner. In spite of the point cushioning support offered by the rubber pads 31, the weight (W) of operator's feet acting on the platform 32 via the endless belt 33 will cause instability and discomfort due to insufficient elasticity, make a greater noise as well as shorten the service life of the treadmill. These are drawbacks of the prior art that are required to be overcome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a primary object of the invention to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks and to provide an improved treadmill that provides more comfort in use and won't subject operators to exercise injuries.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved treadmill that can reduce noise to a minimal extent.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved treadmill that is smoothly operable for prolonging the service life thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accomplishment of this and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following descriptions and its accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal partial section of the first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the main structure of the first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cushioning pad in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the first preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the cushioning action thereof;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention, showing the cushioning action thereof;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the invention, showing the cushioning action thereof;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a conventional treadmill; and

FIG. 9 is a cutaway view of the conventional treadmill.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

First of all, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the treadmill in accordance with the invention includes a base frame 10 with two elongated bars 11 longitudinally extending parallel to each other at opposing sides thereof. A platform 14 is interposed between the elongated bars 11. In addition, a roller 12 is rotatably mounted at a rear end of the elongated bars 11 while an endless belt 13 engages the roller 12 so that the endless belt 13 is positioned on the platform 14 to create an endless path used for exercise.

A cushioning pad 20 is interposed between the platform 14 and the endless belt 13. The cushioning pad 20 is made of elastic material which is selected from a group that consists of Ethyl Vinyl Acetate (EVA) foaming material, Polyurethane (PU) foaming material and rubber. Moreover, the thickness of the cushioning pad 20 ranges from 1 to 10 mm for offering a superb cushioning and providing maximal protection against shock. Therefore, the operator also feels comfortable and won't be subjected to exercise injuries even when he walks or runs barefoot on the treadmill. A result after several tests comes out that the cushioning effect is not evident if the cushioning pad 20 has a thickness lower than 1 mm. Meanwhile, the feet sink too much when the cushioning pad 20 is too thick. So, the cushioning pad 20 has difficulty in restoring itself back to its original state. Consequently, it's preferable that the thickness of the cushioning pad 20 is maintained within 10 mm.

Moreover, the cushioning pad 20 is subjected to wearing action and has a rough surface for increasing the frictional force. So, a wear-resisting layer 21 may be disposed on the cushioning pad 20 after the cushioning pad 20 is secured to a top surface of the platform 14 (see FIG. 4). Meanwhile, a free end 211 of the wear-resisting layer 21 is secured to a bottom face of the platform 14. In this way, the wear-resisting layer 21 can be tightly attached to the cushioning pad 20 (see FIG. 2). Alternatively, the wear-resisting layer 21 can be directly stuck to the cushioning pad 20. The wear-resisting layer 21 is made of smooth, soft and reinforced plastic material with a high level of smoothness and wear resistance, thereby facilitating the endless movement of the endless belt 13 and protecting the cushioning pad 20 from direct contact with the endless belt 13. Thus, the service life of the treadmill can be prolonged. Besides, it is pliability that features the wear-resisting layer 21 such that the comfort provided by the cushioning pad 20 won't be reduced. Furthermore, the wear-resisting layer 21 is smoothly and tightly attached to the surface of the cushioning pad 20 without wrinkles such that the friction and the noise made during the endless movement of the endless belt 13 thereon can be diminish to a minimal extent.

FIG. 6 illustrates, in principle, an identical embodiment to the previous one, but the difference lies in that the platform 14 includes an upper plate 141 and a lower plate 143 between which a second cushioning pad 142 is clamped. The lower plate lower plate 143 is positioned on supporting brackets 15 supported at the internal side of the elongated bars 11. Thus, the upper plate 141 of the platform 14 can provide cushioning effect as well. In this way, the second cushioning pad 142 cooperates with the first cushioning pad 20 to allow for an increased comfort in operating the treadmill.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the endless belt 13 is directly supported on the platform 14. Meanwhile, the configuration of the platform 14 is the same to that of FIG. 6, that is, the second cushioning pad 142 is clamped between the upper plate 141 and the lower plate 143 under the condition that the lower plate 143 is thicker than the upper plate 141. Moreover, the thickness of the second cushioning pad 142 has to be increased for providing a sufficient cushioning. Since the thinner upper plate 141 is completely stuck to the second cushioning pad 142, the upper plate 141 will deform with the second cushioning pad 142 when the weight of the operator acts on the treadmill during a walking exercise session. In this way, an excellent shock-absorbing effect is achieved. At this time, the lower plate 143 remains unmoved and is stably supported on the supporting brackets 15 at the internal side of the elongated bars 11. So, the noise made by the movement of the endless belt 13 may be reduced as well. Moreover, the upper plate 141 features the wear resistance so that the second cushioning pad 142 won't be subjected to the rubbing action the endless belt 13, thereby prolonging the service life of the treadmill.

By use of the above mentioned configuration that one or two cushioning pads 20 are disposed on the platform 14 or embedded therein, an increased cushioning can be achieved to allow for an excellent comfort during the exercise sessions. Meanwhile, the exercise injuries can be reduced to a minimal extent.

The invention has a simple configuration, effectively solve the problem of great noise during the operation of the conventional treadmill and provide the exercise comfort for the barefooted walking or jogging. Accordingly, the invention can provide the operator with a safer comfort in taking exercise on the treadmill.

Many changes and modifications in the above-described embodiments of the invention can, of course, be carried out without departing from the scope thereof. Accordingly, to promote the progress in science and the useful arts, the invention is disclosed and is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims. 

1-6. (canceled)
 7. A treadmill comprising: a) a base frame having elongated bars longitudinally extending parallel to each other at two sides thereof; b) a platform extending between the opposing elongated bars; c) a roller positioned at a rear end of the elongated bars; d) an endless belt engaging the roller for an endless movement on the platform; e) a first cushioning pad with a thickness ranging from 1 to 10 mm disposed on the platform; and f) a smooth wear-resisting layer overlaying a top surface of the first cushioning pad to be interposed between the endless belt and the first cushioning pad, wherein the platform includes: i. a lower plate affixed to the elongated bars; ii. a second cushioning pad overlaying the lower plate; and, iii. an upper plate interposed between the first cushioning pad and the second cushioning pad. 